Methods and systems are presented for configuring a remote control device to operate multiple devices. Functionality is provided to detect whether the remote control device has been configured to control one of the devices. If the remote control has not yet been configured to operate another device, the user is invited to configure the remote control accordingly. Detection may be based on additional codes transmitted with the remote control device that indicate the configuration status of the remote control. Detection may be additionally or alternately based on user behavior that is identified as consistent with operation of an un-configured remote control.
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1. A method executable by a first audio/visual device for configuring a remote control device, wherein the remote control is pre-programmed with control codes for controlling a first audio/visual device and is programmable with control codes to control a second audio/visual device, the method comprising: receiving a sequence of key presses made by a user of the remote control device at the first audio/visual device, wherein none of the key presses corresponds to a manual selection of a programming or configuration mode by the user; processing the sequence of key presses by the first audio/visual device to thereby automatically detect, by the first audio/visual device without the user manually selecting a programming or configuration mode, that the remote control is unconfigured with respect to control of a second audio/visual device separate from the first audio/visual device; and in response to the first audio/visual device automatically detecting that the remote control is unconfigured with respect to the control of the second audio/visual device, the first audio/visual device controlling an audio or visual output of the first audio/visual device to output instructions that prompt the user to configure the remote control for control of the second audio/visual device.
An audio/visual (AV) device configures a remote control that is pre-programmed for the AV device and can be programmed for a second AV device. The AV device receives a sequence of key presses from the remote. If the user did not manually select a programming mode, the AV device automatically detects that the remote is not configured to control the second AV device. In response, the AV device displays instructions prompting the user to configure the remote for the second AV device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the instructions output via the audio or visual output prompt the user to select a key on the remote control to be programmed, and to enter a sequence of keys on the remote control to configure the selected key for control of the second audio/visual device.
The method where an AV device configures a remote control by automatically detecting that it is not configured for a second AV device, and then displaying configuration instructions is improved as follows. The displayed instructions prompt the user to select a key on the remote, then enter a sequence of key presses to program that key to control the second AV device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein in the processing step, the first audio/visual device further analyzes commands received from the remote control for the presence of a signal indicating whether the remote control is in an unconfigured state with respect to control of the second audio/visual device.
The method where an AV device configures a remote control by automatically detecting that it is not configured for a second AV device, and then displaying configuration instructions is improved as follows. The AV device analyzes commands received from the remote for a signal indicating whether the remote is unconfigured for the second AV device. So, in addition to processing key presses, a configuration status is checked.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the commands received from the remote control comprise a plurality of data bits and the signal comprises one or more dedicated data bits in the plurality of data bits indicating whether the remote control is configured to control a second audio/visual device.
The method where an AV device configures a remote control by automatically detecting that it is not configured for a second AV device, and then displaying configuration instructions is improved as follows. The remote control commands include data bits. One or more dedicated data bits indicate whether the remote is configured to control the second AV device. The AV device checks these bits.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein in the processing comprises the first audio/visual device automatically entering a remote control programming mode based on the pattern of key presses.
The method where an AV device configures a remote control by automatically detecting that it is not configured for a second AV device, and then displaying configuration instructions is improved as follows. The AV device automatically enters a remote control programming mode based on the pattern of key presses. So, the AV device interprets the key press sequence as a request for configuration.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first audio/visual device outputs audio/visual data at a user controlled volume setting, and wherein the processing comprises: the first audio/visual device querying the volume setting for the output of audio/visual data; the first audio/visual device analyzing the key presses made by the user via the remote control; if the volume setting is at a maximum, and the first audio/visual device receives via the remote control a plurality of volume-up commands, determining that the remote control is unconfigured to control a second audio/visual device.
The method where an AV device configures a remote control by automatically detecting that it is not configured for a second AV device, and then displaying configuration instructions is improved as follows. The AV device outputs audio/visual data at a user-controlled volume. The AV device queries the volume setting. If the volume is at maximum, and the AV device receives multiple volume-up commands, it determines the remote is unconfigured for the second AV device.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein if the first device identifies that the user presses multiple times remote control keys that are programmable, the processing comprises determining that the remote control is unconfigured to control the second audio/visual device.
The method where an AV device configures a remote control by automatically detecting that it is not configured for a second AV device, and then displaying configuration instructions is improved as follows. If the user presses programmable remote keys multiple times, the AV device determines the remote is unconfigured for the second AV device. The AV device detects the repetition and infers lack of configuration.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the instructions output via the audio or visual output prompt the user to input the model number and manufacturer of the second audio/visual device to the first device.
The method where an AV device configures a remote control by automatically detecting that it is not configured for a second AV device, and then displaying configuration instructions is improved as follows. The instructions prompt the user to input the model number and manufacturer of the second AV device to the first AV device. The AV device requests this information to tailor the configuration.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the controlling an audio or visual output of the first audio/visual device includes outputting commands to update a display screen of a connected device, displaying instructions for configuring the remote control on the display screen, awaiting key presses on the remote control according to the instructions, and/or notifying the user if the user enters incorrect key presses.
The method where an AV device configures a remote control by automatically detecting that it is not configured for a second AV device, and then displaying configuration instructions is improved as follows. The display includes commands to update a connected device's display screen. Instructions for configuration are shown on the screen. The system waits for key presses based on the instructions and notifies the user if the key presses are incorrect.
10. An audio/video device comprising: a processor for controlling the operation of the audio/video apparatus; a remote control command receiver for receiving commands from a corresponding remote control, wherein the remote control is pre-programmed with control codes for controlling the audio/visual device and is programmable with control codes to control a second audio/visual device, the commands received from the remote control being received and interpreted by the processor; an audio or visual output for outputting audio or visual data to a user; wherein the processor is operable to: receive a sequence of commands from the remote control based upon key presses made by the user, wherein none of the key presses corresponds to a manual selection of a programming or configuration mode by the user; automatically detect, based upon the received sequence of commands, that the remote control is unconfigured with respect to control of a second audio/visual device; and control the audio or visual output to prompt the user to configure the remote control to control the second audio/visual device, and output instructions via the audio or visual output for configuring the remote control.
An audio/video device includes a processor, a remote control command receiver, and an audio/visual output. The remote is pre-programmed for the AV device and can be programmed for a second AV device. The processor receives a sequence of commands from the remote. If the user did not manually select a programming mode, the processor automatically detects that the remote is not configured to control the second AV device. In response, the AV device prompts the user to configure the remote for the second AV device and outputs configuration instructions.
11. The audio/visual device of claim 10 , wherein the instructions output via the audio or visual output prompt the user to press a key on the remote control to be programmed, and enter a sequence of keys on the remote control to configure that key for control of the second audio/visual apparatus.
The audio/visual device that automatically detects that a remote is not configured for a second AV device, and then displaying configuration instructions is improved as follows. The displayed instructions prompt the user to select a key on the remote, then enter a sequence of key presses to program that key to control the second AV device. The user is guided through the key programming process.
12. The audio/visual device claim 11 , wherein in the detecting step, the audio/visual device analyses the commands received from the remote control for the presence of a signal indicating whether the remote control is in an unconfigured state with respect to control of the second audio/visual device.
The audio/visual device that automatically detects that a remote is not configured for a second AV device, and then displaying configuration instructions is improved as follows. The audio/visual device analyzes the commands received from the remote for a signal indicating whether the remote is unconfigured for the second AV device. The presence or absence of this signal triggers the process.
13. The audio/visual device of claim 10 , wherein the commands received from the remote control comprise a plurality of data bits and the signal comprises a dedicated data bit in the plurality of data bits indicating whether the remote control is configured to control the second audio/visual device.
The audio/visual device that automatically detects that a remote is not configured for a second AV device, and then displaying configuration instructions is improved as follows. The remote control commands include data bits. A dedicated data bit indicates whether the remote is configured to control the second AV device. The audio/visual device reads this bit to determine configuration.
14. The audio/visual device of claim 10 , wherein the processor automatically enters a remote control programming mode in response to automatically detecting based upon the received sequence of commands that the remote control is unconfigured with respect to control of a second audio/visual device.
The audio/visual device that automatically detects that a remote is not configured for a second AV device, and then displaying configuration instructions is improved as follows. The processor automatically enters a remote control programming mode after detecting that the remote is unconfigured for the second AV device. This initiates the configuration sequence.
15. The audio/visual device of claim 10 , wherein the audio/visual device is operable to output audio/visual data at a user controlled volume setting, and the processor is operable to: query the volume setting for the output of audio/visual data; analyze the key presses made by the user via the remote control; if the volume setting is at a maximum, and the processor receives via the remote control a plurality of volume-up commands, determine that the remote control is unconfigured to control a second audio/visual device.
The audio/visual device that automatically detects that a remote is not configured for a second AV device, and then displaying configuration instructions is improved as follows. The audio/visual device outputs audio/visual data at a user-controlled volume. The processor queries the volume setting. If the volume is at maximum, and the processor receives multiple volume-up commands, it determines the remote is unconfigured for the second AV device.
16. The audio/visual device of claim 10 , wherein if the processor identifies that the user presses multiple times remote control keys that are programmable, the audio/visual device may determine that the remote control is unconfigured to control a second audio/visual device.
The audio/visual device that automatically detects that a remote is not configured for a second AV device, and then displaying configuration instructions is improved as follows. If the user presses programmable remote control keys multiple times, the audio/visual device determines the remote is unconfigured for the second AV device. Repeated attempts suggest misconfiguration.
17. The audio/visual device of claim 10 , wherein the instructions output via the audio or visual output prompt the user to input the model number and manufacturer of the second audio/visual device to the first audio/visual device.
The audio/visual device that automatically detects that a remote is not configured for a second AV device, and then displaying configuration instructions is improved as follows. The instructions prompt the user to input the model number and manufacturer of the second AV device to the first AV device. This helps in finding the correct control codes.
18. A remote control for controlling an audio/visual apparatus, wherein the remote control is pre-programmed with control codes for controlling the audio/visual device and is programmable with control codes to control a second audio/visual device, the remote control comprising: a plurality of input controls; a transmitter for transmitting remote control commands to the audio/visual apparatus; a memory for storing a configuration status signal automatically indicating that the remote control is configured or unconfigured to control a second audio/visual device without a user manually selecting a programming or configuration mode; a processor for detecting key presses of the input controls and for operating the transmitter to send a remote control command to the audio/visual device based on the key presses, wherein the processor is operable to: receive a sequence of key presses made by a user of the remote control device at the audio/visual device, wherein none of the key presses corresponds to a manual selection of a programming or configuration mode by the user; provide the sequence of key presses to the audio/visual device for processing of the sequence of key presses by the audio/visual device that automatically detects, without the user manually selecting a programming or configuration mode, that the remote control is unconfigured with respect to control of a second audio/visual device separate from the audio/visual device; and if the audio/visual device automatically detects that the remote control is unconfigured with respect to the control of the second audio/visual device, enter a configuration mode with the audio/visual device to configure the remote control for control of the second audio/visual device.
A remote control for an AV device is pre-programmed for the AV device and can be programmed for a second AV device. It includes input controls, a transmitter, memory for a configuration status signal, and a processor. The configuration status signal automatically indicates if the remote is configured for the second AV device. The processor detects key presses and sends commands. The processor also provides the AV device a keypress sequence. The AV device automatically detects if the remote is unconfigured for the second AV device. If unconfigured, it enters a configuration mode with the AV device.
19. The remote control of claim 18 , wherein the transmitter is operable to transmit remote control commands to the audio/visual apparatus that include a plurality of data bits and the processor is operable to set a dedicated data bit in the plurality of data bits based on the configuration status signal.
The remote control that can be automatically configured by an audio/visual device is improved as follows. The transmitter sends commands that include data bits. The processor sets a dedicated data bit based on the configuration status signal. The AV device then reads this bit to determine if the remote needs configuration.
20. A non-transitory computer readable medium on which computer code is stored, wherein when the computer code is executed by the processor of an audio/visual device communicating with a remote control device, the audio visual device is caused to: receive a sequence of key presses made by a user of the remote control device at the audio/visual device, wherein none of the key presses corresponds to a manual selection of a programming or configuration mode by the user; process the sequence of key presses by the audio/visual device to thereby automatically detect, by the audio/visual device without the user manually selecting a programming or configuration mode, that the remote control is unconfigured with respect to control of a second audio/visual device separate from the audio/visual device; and in response to the first audio/visual device automatically detecting that the remote control is unconfigured with respect to the control of the second audio/visual device, the audio/visual device controlling an audio or visual output of the audio/visual device to output instructions that prompt the user to configure the remote control for control of the second audio/visual device.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores code for an audio/visual device to automatically configure a remote. The code makes the AV device receive a key press sequence from the remote, and then automatically detect that the remote is not configured to control a second AV device. In response, the AV device outputs instructions prompting the user to configure the remote for the second AV device, without manual intervention.
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October 31, 2014
August 22, 2017
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